Every day, an array of street stalls open up along the stonewalls of Dongmyo Park.
It’s the Dongmyo Flea Market.
This place captures traces of old Korea, before the rapid development.
Let’s visit the site and feel the old Seoul.
The Dongmyo Flea Market is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
and its day starts at 10 o’clock in the morning on Saturdays.
Full of unusual antiques and affordable second-hand goods, especially clothes, it’s one of the
biggest flea markets in the nation.
This place is particularly known for the unique way clothing is displayed; vendors just dump
them into a pile on the ground.
"I’ve got about 400 to 500kg of clothes today.
Here, customers can buy clothes for one-tenth of what it costs at typical second-hand shops.
That’s the ultimate fun of this market."
Then customers dig into the pile for hidden gems, the ultimate fun of shopping at flea
markets.
"Dongmyo is a shrine built in honor of Guan Yu, and this market is like that for clothes."
This place is brimming with customers on weekends.
"This is what I purchased.
Clothes are worn or discarded depending on how we use them.
"
Apparently, an average of 100,000 people visit the market on weekends.
Ranging from second-hand clothing to foreign snacks, old books, and vinyl records, antiques
of every type are available here, and the number of stall also doubles on Saturdays
and Sundays.
"You have to see every corner carefully.
They all sell different items."
"This place is a real joy to the eye.
It’s a proper tourist spot.
"
The market has now become an unusual hotspot in the capital attracting customers of all
ages.
However, it was a much different story 13 years ago.
This second-hand bookshop is no exception.
The owner faced serious hardships in the beginning with hardly any customers, but many have come
back as the market is wildly popular.
"This shop has all kinds of books from A to Z.
The wide variety makes it easy for me to find what I want.
"
"This bookshop is perfect for those who need books because they can purchase many books
for the price of one."
The merchants feel this market gave them a second chance in life...
That’s how special this place is to them.
"We handle second-hand goods only, and they are full of dust, which is very bad for the
bronchial tubes.
Still, we enjoy the process of polishing them and making them sound good for customers.
The extensive collection of second-hand goods from bygone eras makes visitors feel like
they’re at a history museum.
This market has very special significance for customers as well.
For the elderly, in particular, it brings back nostalgic memories.
"This machine makes you sing like a star."
"It’s fun to mingle with people and see different things."
"These products are nearly 40 years old but still work just as good as when they were
produced.
Those who like vintage products don’t like to buy the latest goods.
"
Now it’s time for lunch.
In tune with its old sentiments, food is offered at a much cheaper price here, as it was in
the 1980’s.
"Dongmyo used to be for the elderly only, but now it’s popular among people of all
ages.
That’s just how cool this area is."
Media coverage constantly draws more young people to the market, keeping up the vibrant
spirit.
"Look, Isn't that amazing?
"Shall we get it?
"We used to play with it as kids."
The ongoing boom brought a new flow of merchants into the area.
This antique shop relocated here 4 years ago, after more than 20 years in Insa-dong.
"Dongmyo is very vibrant.
I really like this place.
There are many antique stores in Itaewon, but they only sell standardized western products.
However, people can find Korean, Chinese, and European antiques here.
"
Offering a wide variety of high-quality goods, the market is popular customers.
"I found it novel and fun to see antiques that I rarely get to see in daily life."
It’s no surprise why this place has become a destination for foreigners to visit during
their stay in Seoul.
"It's full of people, and many different things.
You can find clothes, pants, a lot of things here."
The sun sets around 6 o’clock in the evening, and the merchants also get ready to wrap up
their day.
How do they feel at the end of the day?
"All the customers are gone so I’m going to close the shop.
Now it’s time for me to hunt good second-hand products.
I got some phones calls and have high expectations for them.
I hope to find a lot of high-quality goods."
The Dongmyo Flea Market captures the past and the present of Korea, and now it combines
all generations.
Seldom-used goods are given new life at this market.
With their aesthetic and historical significance, the place will keep our history alive.